As this Newsletter is in final preparation, the Gemini
Observatory is considering whether to announce a
Call for Proposals for the
Gemini North Telescope, with observations starting sometime during the
summer. The call would likely include early observations with two visiting
instruments --- the University of Hawaii's Adaptive Optics Camera and IR Camera
(Hokupa'a and QUIRC) and the University of Florida's Mid-IR Spectrometer and
Imager (OSCIR), with the likely possibility of observations beginning later
in the Fall Semester with the facility-class Near Infra-Red Imager (NIRI)
built by the University of Hawaii. The call might also include 2000B access
to NIRSPEC on the Keck Telescope.

If the Call occurs, investigators may submit proposals for Gemini
observations or observing time through the standard NOAO proposal process,
with proposals due March 31. If the Call does not occur at this time, a
later call sometime before June is likely. Interested observers should keep
a close eye on the NOAO Web site in early March, and throughout the year, to
find the latest information. The decision is likely to be made by early
March and is dependent on the outcome of tests of the facility instrument
NIRI. In anticipation of a Call for Proposals soon, NOAO has modified its
proposal form and process to accommodate Gemini proposals. Users applying
for time on other facilities will note some of these modifications as they
prepare proposals.

For more information on the Gemini Observatory, see the
US Gemini Program
section of this Newsletter.